Bios

Murray Dobbin

Murray Dobbin is an author, broadcaster and journalist. He is the author of five books and is a former columnist with Financial Post and Winnipeg Free Press. He is a board member of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. He lives in Powell River, BC.

Stories by Murray Dobbin

opinion

Bow Down Canadians, Corporations Are King

Harper's creed: 'Ask not what your economy can do for you, ask what you can do for your economy.'

By Murray Dobbin, 30 Jan 2012

opinion

Stephen Harper and the Big Oil Party of Canada

Now that petro interests reign supreme, even other corporate sectors lose their sway.

By Murray Dobbin, 16 Jan 2012

opinion

This Year, Put the Country Ahead of the Party

May I suggest a resolution for 2012? Defeat Stephen Harper's government.

By Murray Dobbin, 2 Jan 2012

opinion

It's the Economy, Dippers

In NDP leadership debate, Peggy Nash stakes out territory party needs to conquer.

By Murray Dobbin, 5 Dec 2011

opinion

Wake up and Listen to Occupiers

Their challenge to each of us is not to live in tents, but to resist, remake any way we can.

By Murray Dobbin, 21 Nov 2011

opinion

Harper's Plan to Dismantle Canada's Safety Nets

His social engineering aim is to privatize social services and leave the job to charities.

By Murray Dobbin, 7 Nov 2011

opinion

Remember the NDP Leadership Race?

As the Occupy movement outpaces the political process, I wonder if any of these candidates can turn anger into hope.

By Murray Dobbin, 24 Oct 2011

opinion

We're Seeing How Badly Harper Misread Canadians

Hudak's defeat and Occupy Bay Street are latest signs PM's politics aren't embraced.

By Murray Dobbin, 10 Oct 2011

opinion

Is Capitalism Preparing to Bury Itself?

Choke consumers' wages and you choke the economy. Why don't our leaders see that?

By Murray Dobbin, 26 Sep 2011

opinion

Libya, the Lie

What we're not being told about Gadhafi, and the real reason the US wanted him gone.

By Murray Dobbin, 12 Sep 2011

opinion

New Dems, Look to Libby Davies for Leadership Qualities

Can the NDP thrive after Jack? And save the country?

By Murray Dobbin, 6 Sep 2011

opinion

NDP Needs to Launch a Culture War

The party can grow by showing it's more in tune with Canadian values.

By Murray Dobbin, 18 Jul 2011

opinion

Letter from Powell River, Catalyst Town

The mill got its tax cut. Now it wants more public funds to handle the town's sewage.

By Murray Dobbin, 13 Jul 2011

opinion

Can NDP Help Restore Canada's Reputation?

Learn from Afghanistan, challenge Harper's unprincipled foreign policy.

By Murray Dobbin, 4 Jul 2011

opinion

Libya, Canada's Other Ugly War

Is NATO's real target African unity, financed by Gadhafi?

By Murray Dobbin, 20 Jun 2011

opinion

Why Striking Postal Workers Deserve Support

This is about a crucial, wider fight for income equality and collective bargaining rights.

By Murray Dobbin, 6 Jun 2011

opinion

Harper's Goal: Create a New Irrational Reality

As PM re-engineers Canadian society, he never lets facts get in the way.

By Murray Dobbin, 23 May 2011

opinion

Will Libyans See Us as Saviours?

What sort of 'democracy' will we help promote there? Our record is lousy.

By Murray Dobbin, 10 May 2011

opinion

Now What for Canada's Left?

Progressives must invest more thought, energy and, yes, money in their vision for this nation.

By Murray Dobbin, 4 May 2011

opinion

Layton's Surge and the Intentional Citizen

Most Canadians' values long have aligned with New Democrats. Is this an ah ha! moment?

By Murray Dobbin, 25 Apr 2011

opinion

Our Wounded Democracy

Citizens would rather shop, making them vulnerable to manipulation by politicians without scruples.

By Murray Dobbin, 11 Apr 2011

opinion

Contemplating the Unthinkable Harper Majority

A vote for the Tories this time could mean the end of Canada as we know it.

By Murray Dobbin, 28 Mar 2011

opinion

Why Can't Politicians Talk about What's Real?

Looking at a federal election, and its parallel universe of life and death unmentionables.

By Murray Dobbin, 14 Mar 2011

opinion

Fresh Issue for Spring Election: Democracy

Harper is increasingly vulnerable, and Layton's NDP is best situated to benefit.

By Murray Dobbin, 28 Feb 2011

opinion

Harper, Autocrat

His government 'doctored' a document to get its way and punish enemies. Why should we be surprised?

By Murray Dobbin, 14 Feb 2011

opinion

How Layton Can Convert His Popularity into Votes

The NDP leader rates highest, and needs to put a clear proposition to Canadians.

By Murray Dobbin, 31 Jan 2011

opinion

The CEO and the New Feudalism

Typical leader of a top 100 firm makes in three days what average worker must toil a year to earn.

By Murray Dobbin, 17 Jan 2011

opinion

Harper's Pipeline Nightmare

The PM backs the Enbridge plan to pipe tar sands crude to the BC coast. But the politics are ugly.

By Murray Dobbin, 3 Jan 2011

opinion

Postscript on the New McCarthyism

Stephen Harper is succeeding in his efforts to make it a crime to criticize Israel.

By Murray Dobbin, 20 Dec 2010

opinion

That Gap between Rich and Poor Is a Baby Killer

The deadly, unforeseen consequences of Canada's widening inequality.

By Murray Dobbin, 6 Dec 2010

opinion

Citizen Psychopaths

Who put us in this mess? Those 'natural persons' otherwise know as corporations.

By Murray Dobbin, 22 Nov 2010

opinion

This is the Security State Steve Built

Why the Tories keep whipping up fear of terrorists, criminals and peaceful protestors.

By Murray Dobbin, 8 Nov 2010

opinion

A Coalition: Still the Only Way Out

Harper survived a stretch of stumbles because Grits and New Dems let him.

By Murray Dobbin, 25 Oct 2010

opinion

Reckless and Ruinous: Harper's Economics

He ties us to stumbling US, pulls plug on stimulus, rolls dice on tar sands folly.

By Murray Dobbin, 11 Oct 2010

opinion

Don't Give Canada a Security Council Seat

Despite the PM's high-minded rhetoric, we haven't earned the spot.

By Murray Dobbin, 27 Sep 2010

opinion

The Fight of Our Lives

Why halting Canada's march towards tar sands petro-state must be our first priority.

By Murray Dobbin, 13 Sep 2010

opinion

Let's Put an End to Ruling Through Fear

Canadian politics needs a game-changer. Over to you, Jack!

By Murray Dobbin, 30 Aug 2010

opinion

Harper's G20 Victory: Shrinking Canada

PM's purpose always has been to slash the social democratic state, even if it spurs a recession.

By Murray Dobbin, 12 Jul 2010

opinion

Asbestos: Quebec Labour's Shame

Why are that province's union leaders defending this killer export by Canada?

By Murray Dobbin, 28 Jun 2010

opinion

Fire the Managers

Enough with running Canada 'like a business.' We need leaders with hearts and vision.

By Murray Dobbin, 14 Jun 2010

opinion

Bill C-9 and the Coalition Imperative

Britain's new leaders have paved the way for what Ignatieff must do now.

By Murray Dobbin, 30 May 2010

opinion

Harper's Christian Right Wing

The PM is fomenting a culture war, but his opponents barely seem to realize it.

By Murray Dobbin, 17 May 2010

opinion

Four Ways Canada's Democracy Crisis Is Deepening

The way back is for a Liberal and New Dem coalition to promise proportional representation.

By Murray Dobbin, 3 May 2010

opinion

They're Recharging Democracy

These groups start at the community level, and you're invited.

By Murray Dobbin, 19 Apr 2010

opinion

Obama's Nightmare in Middle East

Relations with Israel strain as threat of war with Iran looms. US must redefine its interests.

By Murray Dobbin, 5 Apr 2010

opinion

If Israel Attacked Iran

The unintended consequences are myriad, says top U.S. military leader.

By Murray Dobbin, 22 Mar 2010

opinion

Israel's Apartheid

Blacks in South Africa never faced a 20-foot wall dividing their communities. Palestinians' land is still being seized, their orchards bulldozed.

By Murray Dobbin, 8 Mar 2010

opinion

The Rich are Canadians, Too

But they've stopped acting like it, which is why it's time for tax laws to make them pay their share.

By Murray Dobbin, 22 Feb 2010

opinion

Harper's Attack on Women's Rights and Equality

Remember all he's done to thwart hard-won progress.

By Murray Dobbin, 8 Feb 2010

opinion

Canada's Sudden Democracy Movement

Can the NDP and the traditional left catch up with this spontaneous uprising?

By Murray Dobbin, 25 Jan 2010

opinion

First Prorogue, then Eviscerate

Harper's agenda has a simple goal: destroy the Canadian social safety net.

By Murray Dobbin, 11 Jan 2010

opinion

The Ugly Canadian

Nine ways we are ruining our once enviable reputation in the world.

By Murray Dobbin, 17 Dec 2009

opinion

Harper Rolls over Soft Foes

Ignatieff's Liberals and Layton's NDP cede ground by seeming to be wishy-washy.

By Murray Dobbin, 3 Dec 2009

opinion

Criticizing Israel Isn't Antisemitism

But a new coalition of MPs seems to say the two are one and the same.

By Murray Dobbin, 19 Nov 2009

opinion

Karzai's Afghanistan, Last Nail in the West's Coffin

The most powerful empire in history proves to be dumb as a bag of hammers.

By Murray Dobbin, 5 Nov 2009

opinion

Why Canada's Housing Bubble Will Burst

'The largest sub-prime lender in the world is now the Canadian government.'

By Murray Dobbin, 22 Oct 2009

opinion

Victory over Proven Killer

How a campaign for justice and worker safety defeated Canada's powerful asbestos industry.

By Murray Dobbin, 8 Oct 2009

opinion

Canada Must Forge Its Own Economic Fate

The SPP is dead. Good. That helps reduce dependence on a downbound US.

By Murray Dobbin, 24 Sep 2009

opinion

Stephen Harper, Unfit to Govern

Few are thrilled to have another election, but we must put it to good use.

By Murray Dobbin, 10 Sep 2009

opinion

Afghan Election's Outcome Doesn't Matter

Why? Because US has thwarted, not supported, democracy there.

By Murray Dobbin, 27 Aug 2009

opinion

Left Needs Soul Searching

To make people care, craft a 'politics of meaning'.

By Murray Dobbin, 9 Jul 2009

opinion

From Crisis Comes Hope

But only if a weary left can lead with new ideas. Here's a few to start.

By Murray Dobbin, 19 Jun 2009

opinion

Why Flaherty Loves His $50 Billion Deficit

After creating it with tax cuts, he has an excuse to slash government.

By Murray Dobbin, 1 Jun 2009

opinion

Ignatieff and Asbestos

How he really can get on the right side of this long overdue debate.

By Murray Dobbin, 19 May 2009

opinion

Afghan Politics: Let's Be Real

How US promoted corruption while locking out true democracy.

By Murray Dobbin, 22 Apr 2009

opinion

Who's Obama Proving to Be?

Part 1: He's the (reluctant) imperial president.

By Murray Dobbin, 18 Mar 2009

opinion

If Harper Survives

What's at stake if the PM wriggles out of this one.

By Murray Dobbin, 4 Dec 2008

opinion

Best Move for Liberals: Govern by Coalition

How Grits can save Canada and themselves.

By Murray Dobbin, 19 Nov 2008

opinion

Gordon Campbell, Last Champion of Financial Deregulation

The crash should have killed TILMA.

By Murray Dobbin, 3 Nov 2008

opinion

Left Coalition Badly Needed

Harper's agenda must be stopped by Liberals, NDP and Bloc.

By Murray Dobbin, 22 Oct 2008

opinion

Six Ways Harper Is Wrecking the Economy

Need evidence? Look south.

By Murray Dobbin, 2 Oct 2008

opinion

Tough Luck, Kids

When Harper plays the family card, he cheats.

By Murray Dobbin, 17 Sep 2008

opinion

Turning Back Harper

To deny Tories a majority, how best to vote?

By Murray Dobbin, 10 Sep 2008

opinion

Has US Crippled NATO?

Georgia debacle may be the last straw, isolating US with Canada.

By Murray Dobbin, 26 Aug 2008

opinion

Afghanistan Transforms Canada

To play junior partner to empire, we've militarized our identity.

By Murray Dobbin, 11 Aug 2008

opinion

Will Canada Last?

Not if we surrender our energy lifeblood to the US.

By Murray Dobbin, 27 Jun 2008

opinion

Colin Powell, Keep Out

The case for blocking Bush's war spinner at our border.

By Murray Dobbin, 11 Jun 2008

opinion

God's Wrath, and the Tories'

Harper's zeal for retribution seems religious.

By Murray Dobbin, 26 May 2008

opinion

Americanize Me? No Thanks

Why Canadians must fight 'deep integration' with US.

By Murray Dobbin, 21 Apr 2008

opinion

War Is Peace

Orwell wrote the Harper doctrine.

By Murray Dobbin, 8 Apr 2008

opinion

'Turning the Screws'

Give up on social programs, says Harper budget.

By Murray Dobbin, 4 Mar 2008

opinion

Food Fight: Canada vs. Europe

We're forcing GMOs on people who fear them.

By Murray Dobbin and Ellen Gould, 28 Jan 2008

opinion

Black vs. Kissinger and Buckley

Hey, we thought you were 'friends'!

By Murray Dobbin, 3 Jan 2008

opinion

Sell Your Car, Stay Sane

Car sharing works. Hop in, Harper!

By Murray Dobbin, 12 Dec 2007

artsculture

CBC Wants 'Intelligence' Dead, Says Show's Creator

Chris Haddock on politics, televised and not.

By Murray Dobbin, 3 Dec 2007

opinion

Why Tax Cuts Make Us Weak

Taxes are the price of a civilized society. Support them.

By Murray Dobbin, 1 Nov 2007

opinion

Target Iran: Where's Harper?

PM silent as White House edges toward attack.

By Murray Dobbin, 16 Oct 2007

opinion

Through the Looking Glass with Jim Flaherty

On the political art of doing nothing.

By Murray Dobbin, 27 Sep 2007

opinion

Our Grand Ayatollah

Tom d'Aquino rules Canada's fate. What does he want?

By Murray Dobbin, 12 Sep 2007

opinion

Canada Up for Grabs

Montebello proved 'deep integration' should be a big election issue.

By Murray Dobbin, 29 Aug 2007

opinion

The Plan to Disappear Canada

'Deep integration' comes out of shadows.

By Murray Dobbin, 8 Jun 2007

opinion

Hansen Plays 'Jeopardy,' BC Loses

Minister on TILMA: Bzzzz wrong!

By Murray Dobbin, 24 May 2007

opinion

Torture Scandal's Message

Harper's sorry stance on human rights.

By Murray Dobbin, 3 May 2007

opinion

What's the Big Deal?

Greens made a poor ally in Dion's Grits.

By Murray Dobbin, 18 Apr 2007

opinion

Corny Energy 'Solution'

Last stage of denial: ethanol will save us!

By Murray Dobbin, 4 Apr 2007

opinion

Harper's Bait and Switch Budget

Phony spending foreshadows future cuts.

By Murray Dobbin, 21 Mar 2007

opinion

In Defence of Red Tape

It keeps our safety, health and lives together.

By Murray Dobbin, 8 Mar 2007

opinion

'Very Big Teeth' Threaten Campbell's Green Ambitions

TILMA trade agreement would penalize his plans.

By Murray Dobbin, 21 Feb 2007

opinion

How the Left Should Frame Issues

Harper's team is expert at word games.

By Murray Dobbin, 6 Feb 2007

opinion

Corporate Rights Deal to Make Us April Fools

TILMA will strip our ability to set local limits.

By Murray Dobbin, 24 Jan 2007

opinion

Will Dion Be Paul Martin 2.0?

Key staff pick shows true economic colours.

By Murray Dobbin, 9 Jan 2007

opinion

Vote NDP to Keep Libs Honest

But Jack, lay off Dion. Here's a better way.

By Murray Dobbin, 18 Dec 2006

opinion

Enough Tax Cuts!

Harper keeps carving away at Canada's soul.

By Murray Dobbin, 1 Dec 2006

opinion

US Vote: Trouble for Harper

With Bush a lame duck, PM's plans look passé.

By Murray Dobbin, 13 Nov 2006

opinion

A Tyee Series

Operation Backfire

Our soldiers are making enemies of those they are supposed to be helping.

By Murray Dobbin, 16 Oct 2006

opinion

A Tyee Series

How the West Destroyed Afghanistan

History got us into this mess. Can it get us out?

By Murray Dobbin, 3 Oct 2006

opinion

A Tyee Series

Harper's Taste for War

PM's pride tied to military muscle, U.S. approval.

By Murray Dobbin, 25 Sep 2006

books

What Happened to Labour Rights?

You'd hardly know collective bargaining is a human right.

By Murray Dobbin, 22 Jun 2006

opinion

Terror Plot: Canada Stays Cool

More community promotes less fear mongering.

By Murray Dobbin, 13 Jun 2006

opinion

Canada out of Afghanistan

This has nothing to do with peacekeeping.

By Murray Dobbin, 19 May 2006

opinion

President Stephen Harper

Is he governing for Canada, or just Alberta?

By Murray Dobbin, 20 Apr 2006

opinion

Let's Cheer Our Defeat

Canada tried to un-ban 'terminator' seeds. Instead, 1.4 billion farmers won.

By Murray Dobbin, 3 Apr 2006

opinion

Erasing Vancouver's Olympic Image

NPA moves undercut values that won us the bid.

By Murray Dobbin, 27 Feb 2006

opinion

Not So Bad, Eh?

Harper may be PM, but the winner is left-wing Canada.

By Murray Dobbin, 25 Jan 2006

opinion

Be an 'Intentional Citizen'

'Strategic voting?' It's all about outcomes.

By Murray Dobbin, 5 Jan 2006

opinion

Why the Greens Aren't Very Green

Federal party is short on solid policies and democracy.

By Murray Dobbin, 16 Dec 2005

opinion

The Case Against a Martin Majority

The more power he had, the stingier he got.

By Murray Dobbin, 30 Nov 2005

opinion

The Signal Vancouver Can Send

A municipal vote eyed by progressives across Canada.

By Murray Dobbin, 14 Nov 2005

opinion

Canada's Deadly 'P3' Hospital Boondoggles

Zooming costs, worse care, more deaths.

By Murray Dobbin, 27 Oct 2005

opinion

Nasty Business

Hollinger's Radler was small fry in sea of CEO sharks.

By Murray Dobbin, 7 Oct 2005

opinion

Terasen Sale Must Be Snuffed

Control of our energy should be BC's top priority.

By Murray Dobbin, 19 Sep 2005

opinion

New Orleans: Maximizing Disaster

Behold the results of years of 'downsizing'.

By Murray Dobbin, 8 Sep 2005

opinion

Liberal Corruption, beyond the Sponsorship Scandal

If 'perversion of its original state' is the definition, here are examples.

By Murray Dobbin, 14 Jun 2005

opinion

Sterile Seeds, Canada's Impotence

Why was Africa's 'Father of Biosafety' hassled at our nation's gates?

By Murray Dobbin, 31 May 2005

opinion

Why Conservatives Should Thank Chuck Cadman

He saved them from a doomed election led by hard right Harper.

By Murray Dobbin, 19 May 2005

opinion

The Libs' Big Fib

They say their astute management erased a huge NDP deficit. Wrong. And wrong.

By Murray Dobbin, 5 May 2005

opinion

Harper's Dark Opportunity

Our next PM may be the Grim Reaper of Canadian politics.

By Murray Dobbin, 21 Apr 2005

opinion

Time to Tame Corporate Power

Global CEOs are unclear on the concept of government. They think it’s their support staff.

By Murray Dobbin, 6 Apr 2005

opinion

'Pro-Canadian' Means Much More than 'Anti-American'

Embracing Canadian values goes way beyond resenting our neighbours.

By Murray Dobbin, 23 Mar 2005

opinion

Canada’s Cold, Hard Face to the World

Backing ‘terminator seeds’ painted us, again, as the bad guy.

By Murray Dobbin, 8 Mar 2005

opinion

'For Our Own Good, Give Canada Away'

The 'deep integrationists' plan one happy continent, but we must teach the little ones.

By Murray Dobbin, 22 Feb 2005

opinion

Way Too Meek on U.S. Trade

The Chinese want our oil. Maybe that will get Uncle Sam's attention.

By Murray Dobbin, 4 Jan 2005

opinion

Martin's Pants Appear on Fire

The PM's been asked again and again about how he runs his shipping firm. Why does he keep mangling the sad facts?

By Murray Dobbin, 29 Dec 2004

opinion

Paul Martin's Stunted Imagination

One year on, do we have a prime minister yet?

By Murray Dobbin, 21 Dec 2004

opinion

The Man Who Walks with Dinosaurs

The return of Stockwell Day, who now implies that people with AIDS deserve no sympathy.

By Murray Dobbin, 1 Dec 2004

opinion

Is Canada's Elite at War with its Citizens?

While expert 'realists' tell us to play nice with U.S. global aims, Canadians see a 'rogue' next door.

By Murray Dobbin, 19 Nov 2004

opinion

Is Canada's Elite at War with Citizens?

While expert 'realists' tell us to play nice with U.S. global aims, Canadians see a 'rogue' next door.

By Murray Dobbin, 1 Nov 2004

opinion

Paul Martin's democratic deficit

While the new PM promises to empower MPs, his record as finance minister and a leadership candidate shows profound disregard for democratic process

By Murray Dobbin, 16 Feb 2004

opinion

Martin's Slippery Speech

Yesterday's address was full of vague gestures at problems the PM helped create in the first place.

By Murray Dobbin, 3 Feb 2004

opinion

The Throne Speech We'd Love to Hear

Don't bet Paul Martin has the guts to give it.

By Murray Dobbin, 13 Nov 2003

opinion

All Hail the Alienator!

Paul Martin says he wants to deal with B.C. alienation. Unfortunately, he's been a significant cause of it.

By Murray Dobbin, 13 Nov 2003